France Scripts Historic Double at Badminton World Championships in New Delhi

France enjoyed a landmark day at the 2026 BWF World Championships in New Delhi, securing two gold medals in a remarkable breakthrough for the country’s badminton. Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue defeated world No. 1 Chinese pair Feng Yan Zhe and Huang Dong Ping 22-20, 19-21, 21-15 in the mixed doubles final. The 78-minute battle was closely contested, but the French pair held their nerve in the deciding game to secure France’s first-ever world title in mixed doubles.

The celebrations continued shortly afterwards when 21-year-old Alex Lanier defeated Japan’s Kodai Naraoka 21-11, 21-11 in the men’s singles final. Lanier became the first Frenchman to win the men’s singles world championship. France had previously won only two bronze medals in the history of the tournament, making Sunday’s double-gold achievement a historic milestone for French badminton.